Welcome to the OCLC human-computer interaction (HCI) Web site! In the spirit of HCI and usability evaluations, this is your site. If you encounter difficulties using the site, finding the information you want, or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know!
Our goal is to be a source of interaction, debate, and information about how people interact with computers in the library environment.
HCI is the study of how people interact with computers. One of its goals is the design of computer software that is easy to use and learn. At OCLC, this means making products and services easier to use for library staff and patrons.
Before 1990, the OCLC Office of Research conducted studies of HCI in libraries. Dr. Charles Hildreth was one of the first of OCLC's research staff to study HCI in the context of library systems. In 1990, the OCLC HCI team was formed to foster company-wide participation in user studies and to promote application of the results to system design. One of the team's first accomplishments was the establishment of a usability lab (Ulab). In the Ulab, OCLC staff can observe patrons and library staff interacting with OCLC products and services. Since 1990, the team has expanded its services to include prototyping of library system interfaces, development of rapid usability evaluation techniques, and consultation with product teams on how to increase the ease-of-use of their products.
